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Friday, 27 January 2017

DIY Twisted Double Spiral Woven Fleece Dog Tug Toy

The Double Spiral weave starts with a Double Box Knot, which is just two Basic Box Knots next to each other, both tied using the same up/down strands. From that starting point, the weaving style switches to Circle Twist. Since we have two sets of horizontals with shared verticals, the two woven circles conjoin into a spiral around each other as the tug is knotted, creating the Double Spiral. Here's how to make it!

The materials and craft supplies used in making the tug toy shown are:

Tip: It is easier to learn this weaving method if you've already woven the simpler four strand single spiral circle twist weaving method. The single spiral using the same weaving method but with only one pair of horizontals so it's easier to keep track of what's moving where while you learn the weave than trying to learn by diving straight into a double.

Cut fleece to create six strands of fleece, two of each colour. Since this was made for Valentine's Day, I used pink, white, and red. :) The horizontals
(red and white in my example) are the same length, but the verticals
(pink in my example) should be roughly one and a half times that
length. All strands are equal width. You can scale the length and width to suit.

Tie a knot near one end of your strands. Arrange to prepare for weaving into verticals (up/down) and horizontals (left/right upper, left/right lower).

Tie a single Double Box Knot, which is two Basic Box Knots next to each other, both tied using the same up/down strands. This creates the starting strand configuration for your spiral weaving.

The remainder of the tug is woven using two Circle Twist Knots adjoining each other, tied using the same up/down diagonal strands. Circle twists are woven on a diagonal to opposing corners instead of straight like a basic box knot. If your starting configuration is top strand right (as shown in my example) weave as follows. If
your starting configuration position is top strand left, it's simply the opposite sequence.

As you
prepare to tie the loops, fold your vertical strands (pink in my example). The top right vertical bends to bottom left, bottom left
vertical bends to top right.

Weave your upper horizontals (white in my example) so that they "trade places". The very top strand at the upper left bends across and down to the starting position of your upper right strand, weaving over the under. The strand at the upper right bends across and up to the starting
position of your upper left strand, weaving over the under.

Weave your lower horizontals (red in my example) so that they "trade places". The lower left bends across and down to the
starting position of your bottom right strand, weaving over the under. The very bottom strand at the lower right bends across and up to the starting
position of your lower left strand, weaving over the under.

Incrementally and evenly tighten the weave into a knot.

Repeat the exact same sequence to weave the remainder of tug. Tip: It's way easier to do this (and any fleece toy weaving) with the working end secured. I like to nip mine between my knees, as shown in the extra pics above. This allows me to freely flip the strands to the front, back over a shoulder, and from side to side. If unsecured, it's very hard to weave neatly in a fixed pattern/sequence.

Loop and knot the end. Trim excess if/as needed.

Remember, toys are for supervised
interactive play. Know your dog before giving him or her any new toy.
Some dogs would rather eat their toys (whether store bought or
handmade), and that's dangerous. Toys are for playing and
playtime is safer (and more fun!) with you involved. You can read more
about dog toy safety here.

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